How to go to Owakudani from Tokyo?

Go to Owakudani from Tokyo by taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station to Odawara Station on the Odakyū Odawara Line, and then change for the Tozan Line to board the Hakone Tozan train to Gora Station. From there, transfer to the Funicular to Souzan Station where you will ride the Hakone Ropeway to reach Owakudani.

Why the couple went to Owakudani in Hakone, Japan?

The couple visited Ōwakudani also called 大涌谷 or “Great Boiling Valley” or “GeoThermal Valley” in Hakone, for a day-trip instead of visiting Mount Fuji directly because they can see 2 volcanoes instead of just 1 Mount Fuji . Ōwakudani is a popular tourist site with scenic view of Mount Fuji and the famous volcanic valley with active sulphur vents. Once there, they rushed to queue up for the local speciality Kuro-tamago 黒卵 lit. “black egg” which is hard-boiled in the hot springs. The eggs has a slightly sulphuric smell and they were excited about consuming those eggs because it is said to increase longevity by seven years. So, if you are travelling to Japan, be sure to follow the below steps carefully to lengthen your youth.

Overview of the journey from Shinjuku, Tokyo to Owakudani, Hakone in Japan

Total travelling time: About 2 hour and 30 mins (the scenic view is totally worth it on 4 transport modes)

Total transport cost: 3050 YEN X 2 for the couple

The alternate way to Owakudani Hakone is to take the Romance Car Railway, it’s probably less hassle, however, do expect huge huge crowd and more expensive ticket. Below is a Google Map on the estimated journey and travelling time.

Step 1. Tokyo SHINJUKU Shinkansen to ODAWARA Station

Using Japan Railway JR Passes, reserve Shinkansen seats at Shinjuku Station travelling to Odawara Station on the Odakyū Odawara Line.

Quicker, less hassle, more fun travel tips

Reserve seats the day before too, at any Shinkansen Stations.

Get up early and arrive at the station at just after 9.30am (or before 8am) to avoid the working crowd.

Go on a weekday instead of the weekend! Weekend is double triple quadruple crowd size.

Ask for the exact direction to board the train as Shinjuku Station is really big and crowded.

Ask for the below instruction card to choose your seats, both the sea view and mount fuji views are just as majestic. In any case, you can get up from your seats later and walk to the doors to see the same view.

Choose your Shinkansen seats

This is a 1 hour 40 mins Shinkansen train ride so be sure to buy something to munch on the journey before boarding the train (Yes! you can eat on the train and train station). If you feel hungry along the way, tidbits, bread and drinks are sold on the Shinkansen but it will cost 2 to 3 times more. Lastly, please be punctual as the train will leave on time, not a minute more or less.

Along the way, you will see lots of scenic sites – japanese houses, interesting shops, beach and seaside, forested and rural area, farms and villages. So, don’t waste the expensive tickets, stay awake, enjoy some Japanese sweets and keep your eyes open for those views like the one below.

Once you reach Odawara Station, follow the yellow exit signboard, go up the platform and exit the gantry. You will be purchasing tickets from here to travel from Odawara station to Souzan station via Train and Cable Car.

Quicker, less hassle, more fun travel tips

Ask the train operators for directions by showing them the picture below.

Friendly service at Hakone Tourist Information Center

Step 3. Purchase Hakone Tozan Train & Cable Car 1-Day TokoToko Ticket

See the beautiful Hakone Transportation map below to guide your trip. The couple chose the orange color option – Hakone Tozan Train & Cable Car 1-Day TokoToko Ticket because this was where we wanted to go and it is the cheapest! Cost for each ticket is 1,540 Yen

Quicker, less hassle, more fun travel tips

This is the super most important step and most tourists will missed out if they are not alert! Get off the train at Hakone Yumoto Station. Keep walking forward towards the direction of the train head, and continue walking forward until you reach another railway segment – this is the upper section of Hakone Tozan Line.

Yes, you need to transfer to another similar looking train to continue the journey forward to Gora Station.

Quicker, less hassle, more fun travel tips

If you forgot to alight, do not worry as the train will just go back to Odawara Station and come back to this Hakone-Yumoto Station again but you will waste some good time.

The journey from Hakone Yumoto to Gora Station will take quite a while. Munch more tidbits and keep your eyes open

InvestCouple recommend to visit during the Cherry Blossom season and you will be rewarded to some of the most scenic view in Japan – clear sky, pink floras, mountains, clear streams and friendly villagers along the way.

Take the first cabin to watch how the train operator switch direction. Imagine a Y-shaped route and you will get the idea.

Once you reached Gora Station, you will be 541 metres above sea level.

It wouldn’t be long before you reached Souzan Station. Alight at this station to purchase tickets for the Hakone Ropeway car as shown below to get to Owakudani Hakone. Cost of each ticket: 1,510 Yen

Quicker, less hassle, more fun travel tips

InvestCouple used the self-service ticket vending machine as there were clear English, Chinese translation to buy the tickets.

Approach the station counter staff for help to purchase the tickets if unsure.

After purchasing the ticket, move forward right away to proceed boarding the Hakone Ropeway.

The interesting part here is that the station staffs will give you a free wet towel, seems like asking you to be mindful of breathing in the sulfuric air around the volcanic valley.

Directions to buy the Hakone Ropeway tickets. Black color row is 1 way trip prices. Brown color row is 2 way trip prices. Start from Souzan to Owakudani on a 1 way trip is 840 YEN, 2 way round trip is 1510 YEN.

Buying the Hakone Ropeway tickets from self-help vending machine

Hakone Ropeway tickets in orange

Step 8. Board Ropeway, Alight at Owakudani Station (next station)

Finally, get ready your cameras again to be treated to the spectacular view of Mount Fuji along the way and don’t forget to alight at Owakudani Station!

To go back to Tokyo from Owakudani Hakone, ride the Hakone Ropeway to Souzan Station and then change to board the Funicular to Gora Station. From there, board the Hakone Tozan Train to Odawara Station and transfer to the Shinkansen to reach Tokyo.

If you have followed our 8 steps guide, you can just retrace back and reuse all the boarding passess.

Boarding area for Hakone Ropeway Car to Owakudani Hakone

Inside Hakone Ropeway Car

Hakon Ropeway view of Mount Fuji

Owakudani Hakone, Volcanic Valley

Satellite view of the entire location in Owakudani Hakone!

(Even the map shows there is smoke coming out from the volcanic valley.)

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